Interpol and Human Trafficking

The International Criminal Police Organization, also known as Interpol, is an intergovernmental organization that comprises 195 members countries. Interpol helps police in all member countries work together to fight crimes and make the world safer. The organization allows police around the globe to share and access criminal data, and it offers technical and operational support. For instance, the General Secretariat of Interpol, which is run by the secretary-general, is staffed by police and civilians who coordinate Interpol activities. Through the General Secretariat, Interpol manages 19 police databases with information about criminals and crimes, including corruption, maritime crimes, terrorism, war crimes, and human trafficking.

Human trafficking, a multi-billion-dollar international organized crime, uses coercion or deception to market people between countries and regions. Human trafficking is linked to several other crimes, including cybercrime, fraudulent travel documents, and money laundering. Once the victims arrive at a destination, they are deprived of their freedom of choice and movement and frequently forced to work in precarious circumstances. Human trafficking victims may also suffer mental and physical abuse.

According to the Interpol website, several forms of human trafficking exist. One of the most widespread is forced labor. Victims are recruited mainly from developing countries by criminals using coercion and deception. Victims may be held in slavery for domestic servitude; mining, agricultural, fishing, construction, or other labor-intensive jobs. Another type of trafficking is for illegal activities, where criminals force victims to practice illicit activities and reap the profits without the risks. Some of these activities include selling counterfeit goods, stealing, and selling drugs.

The most prevalent form of human trafficking is sexual exploitation, which affects every region of the world. Vulnerable women and children are lured by promises of employment and travel to what they believe to be better lives. But when they arrive, they find themselves forced into sexual exploitation. Victims typically are provided false travel documents and held in inhumane conditions.

Human trafficking also supplies the black market with human organs. Criminals engaged in this activity exploit the desperation of patients waiting for organ transplants, which takes a long time in many countries. In addition, organ removal operations typically are carried out in secret, clandestine conditions, which puts victims' lives at risk. According to Interpol, this crime may become even more lucrative as the population ages and diabetes increases in developed countries.

Interpol seeks to give police in its member countries the tools and intelligence to investigate and deal with human trafficking. This goal is achieved by sharing the latest victim interview and investigation techniques with officers; by working across sectors to enhance the identification, reporting, and investigation of trafficking; by connecting experts from all over the world in events and conferences, and more.

Children, who are more vulnerable to trafficking, can be easily manipulated and may not realize they are victims of a crime. Interpol highlights the crucial role that social services, non-governmental organizations, and child protection units play in avoiding this trafficking. Additionally, Interpol regularly engages these institutions in some of its activities to ensure children receive adequate care and attention during operations and investigations.